Vehicle lift

ABSTRACT

A vehicle lift having a shiftable, vehicle elevating framework, the framework including a cross frame, there being means carried by the cross frame for engaging the vehicle to be lifted, the means including extensible arms telescoped within each end of the cross frame, and laterally extending reach pieces connected to the outer ends of each of the arms by an L-shaped connecting bracket whereby to position the reach pieces below the outer end of the corresponding arm, the bracket being configured in such a manner as to permit full retraction of the reach pieces within the confines of the cross frame. Each of the reach pieces carries a tubular socket at its free end, the sockets each carrying a vehicle engaging saddle assembly which is adjustable in a vertical path and swingable in a horizontal plane to permit maximum utilization of the saddle assemblies to engage the vehicle and to present an unobstructed space therebetween when the same are used.

Freudenthal et al.

[451 Sept. 26, 1972 [s41 VEHICLE LIFT [72] Inventors: Frank D.Freudenthal; Gary L. Kincaid, both of St. Joseph, Mo.

[73] Assignee: Gray Manufacturing Company, Inc.,

St. Joseph, Mo.

[22 Filed: April2l, 1971 21 Appl. No.: 135,985

[52] US. Cl ..254/134 {51] Int. Cl. ..B66f 3/00, 860p 1/00 [58] Field ofSearch ..251/2 A, 2 AB, 133, 134

[56] References Cited UNlTED STATES PATENTS 2,937,002 5/1960 Schultz..254/134 X 3,044,747 7/1962 Nolden ..254/134 X 3,091,431 5/1963 Ayneset al. ..254/134 X 3,130,956 4/1964 Mandelko ..254/2 A 3,302,927 2/1967Gray ..254/134 X Primary Examiner-Othell M. Simpson Attorney-Schmidt,Johnson, Hovey & Williams 571 ABSTRACT A vehicle lift having ashiftable, vehicle elevating framework, the framework including a crossframe, there being means carried by the cross frame for engaging thevehicle to be lifted, the means including extensible arms telescopedwithin each end of the cross frame, and laterally extending reach piecesconnected to the outer ends of each of the arms by an L-shapedconnecting bracket whereby to position the reach pieces below the outerend of the corresponding arm, the bracket being configured in such amanner as to permit full retraction of the reach pieces within theconfines of the cross frame. Each of the reach pieces carries a tubularsocket at its free end, the sockets each carrying a vehicle engagingsaddle assembly which is adjustable in a vertical path and swingable ina horizontal plane to permit maximum utilization of the saddleassemblies to engage the vehicle and to present an unobstructed spacetherebetween when the same are used.

9 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures VEHICLE LIFT This invention relates to avehicle lift which is intended to be utilized in service stations,garages and the like wherein a wide variety of vehicles are servicedand, during the course of such servicing, must be elevated by a liftsuch as that herein disclosed.

In portable vehicle lifts, a major consideration is the placement of thevehicle engaging portions thereof sufficiently low to clear obstructionsof the undercarriage of the vehicle yet allow room beneath the crossframe of the vehicle lift to present an adequate stabilizing base. Yetanother major consideration in vehicle lifts which are designed tocontact the vehicle at two spaced locations is to present a lift whichis sufficiently narrow to permit easy maneuvering through doorways,crowded garage service areas and the like, but yet allow the vehicleengaging saddle assemblies of the lift sufficient maximum spantherebetween to permit the same to be engaged with the vehicle atlifting points which are widely spaced on the vehicle.

It is, therefore, the most important object of this invention to providea portable vehicle lift for engaging vehicles at two points of contact,which points lie on opposite sides of the center line of the vehicle,the vehicle engaging saddle assemblies of the lift being carried by thelifting framework in such a manner that they are adjustable inwardly andoutwardly with respect to the center line of the lifting frameworkwhereby to provide a lift presenting a minimum width between the saddleassemblies when the same are fully retracted but permitting a maximumspread therebetween when the arms and the saddle assemblies are fullyextended.

A yet further important object of this invention is to provide a vehiclelift wherein the saddle assemblies are carried by extensible arms insuch a manner as to permit the saddle assemblies to be locatedsufficiently low with respect to the vehicle so as to clear obstructionspresented thereby but yet provide adequate room beneath the cross frameof the vehicle lift for an adequate stabilizing base which extendsforwardly of the elevating or lifting framework.

It is yet a further aim of this invention to provide a vehicle liftwherein there is a clear, unobstructed space between the saddleassemblies when the same are in use, thus permitting the lift to be usedin conjunction with vehicles which have a trailer hitch secured thereto,the hitch falling within said unobstructed area whereby the vehiclehaving the hitch thereon may be easily lifted. Other obstructions suchas the protruding grille of certain vehicles, tail pipes and other suchprotrusions may fall within the unobstructed area.

A yet further object of this invention is to provide a vehicle lifthaving a shiftable, vehicle elevating framework, the framework includinga cross frame having extensible arms telescoped within each end thereof,the arms each carrying a reach piece extending forwardly therefrom andhaving a socket carried by the free end thereof, the sockets eachreceiving a cylindrical support member of a vehicle engaging saddleassembly. whereby the saddle assembly may be adjusted both horizontallyand vertically in order to present a lift having greater universalapplication.

Other objects of this invention include the manner in which the reachpieces are connected to the outer ends of their corresponding armswhereby to permit full retraction of said reach pieces within theconfines of the cross frame, as well as other details of constructionwhich will become fully apparent from the following specification andaccompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the vehicle lift showing the same in alowered condition;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary, front perspective view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary, side elevational view thereof, parts beingbroken away and in section to reveal details of construction;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the cross frame and associatedcomponents, parts being broken away and in section to reveal details ofconstruction; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, sectional front elevational view of one end ofthe cross frame and its associated arm.

The vehicle lift hereinafter generally described is similar to thatdisclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,302,927, the lift 10 including as its basiccomponents a pneumatic power cylinder 12 of any suitable design, whichpower cylinder 12 is vertically movable with respect to an uprightcenter column 14, the center column 14 being rigidly supported by a base16, there being a shiftable, vehicle elevating or lifting framework 18suitably attached to the power cylinder 12 whereby, upon introduction ofair into the cylinder 12, as through a connection 20, the power cylinderwill be raised whereby to shift upwardly vehicle elevating framework 18.When framework 18 is shifted upwardly the front portion of base 16 movesinto engagement with the supporting surface. Lift 10 is portable byvirtue of the provision of wheels 22 carried by an axle and stabilizingbar assembly 24.

The vehicle elevating framework 18 includes a pair of spaced-apart,generally horizontal members 26 having the outer ends thereof attachedto a cross frame 28 and the inner ends thereof attached to a pair ofcorresponding and vertically disposed channel legs 30 which are disposedin substantially parallel relationship to the center column 14 and aresecured, at the ends thereof opposite to those attached to members 26,to the lower marginal portion of power cylinder 12 whereby, upon raisingof the cylinder 12, legs 30 and members 26 will be shifted whereby toelevate the cross frame 18.

The improvement of the present invention resides in the construction ofcross frame 28 and its associated components which are utilized toengage and lift the vehicle upon actuation'of the lift 10.

Cross frame 28 is tubular in configuration, whereby to present a topwall 32, a bottom wall 34, a front wall 36, and a rear wall 38, saidrear wall 38 being connected to the members 26 whereby, as the lift isactuated the cross frame 28 is moved in a substantially'vertical path. Acaster wheel 40 is carried by the cross frame 28 at substantially thecenter thereof and a bolt or pin 42 spans the interior passage of crossframe 28 at substantially the center thereof and adjacent the casterwheel 40.

The cross frame 28 presents a pair of opposed, open ends 44 and 46,which extend beyond opposite sides of the base 16. Each of the ends 44and 46 has telescoped therewithin a corresponding, extensible arm 48 and50, respectively. The arms 48 and 50 are of essentially the samecross-sectional configuration as cross frame 28, although smaller inouter dimension than the inner dimension of cross frame 28 whereby topermit the telescoping of arms 48 and 50 into the cross frame 28. Eacharm 48 and 50 has a looped rod 52 and 54, respectively, welded to theinterior thereof as illustrated in FIG. 4, whereby outward extension ofthe arms 48 and 50 will be limited by virtue of the rods 52 and 54engaging center bolt 42. Thus, extension of arms 48 and 50 is limited toa predetermined distance whereby to prevent overextension in anoutwardly direction.

Each arm 48 and 50 carries a vehicle-engaging saddle assembly broadlydesignated by the numerals 56 and 58, the assemblies 56 and 58 beingcarried by the outer ends of corresponding arms 48 and 50, the innerends being, at all times, received within the cross frame 28. Since thevehicle-engaging assemblies carried by each arm are identical, only onewill be described hereinafter.

Thus, the vehicle-engaging assembly carried by arm 50, for instance,includes a generally L shaped, in plan configuration, connecting bracket60 secured to the outer end of the arm 50. Connecting bracket 60includes a first plate 62 which is secured, in perpendicularrelationship, to the outer end of the arm 50 and is disposed in avertical plane all as clearly shown for instance, by' FIGS. 1, 3 and 4of the drawing. The first plate 62 presents an inner surface 64, whichinner surface 64 is secured to the end of arm 50 as by welding or thelike, the plate 62 also presenting an outer surface 66. Bracket 60 alsoincludes a second plate 68 disposed in perpendicular relationship tosaid first plate and secured thereto along one marginal edge in spaced,substantially parallel relationship to the rear wall .38 of the crossframe 28, the inner surface 70 of plate 68 being proximal to the crossframe 28, the plate 68 also presenting an outer surface 72.

The plates 62 and 68 which comprise L-shaped connecting bracket 60cooperate to carry a forwardly extending reach piece 74 and to connectthe same, at one end thereof, to the outer end of arm 50. It is to benoted that the reach piece 74, which is tubular in configuration, hasits normally innermost end 76 secured to the inner surface 70 of theplate 68 at a point below the bottom wall 34 of the cross frame 28.Further, the reach piece 74 is secured to the inner surface 64 of plate62 at a point below the bottom wall 34 of the cross frame 28, all to theend that there is clearance between the uppermost wall 78 of the reachpiece 74 and the bottom wall 34 of the cross frame 28. It is to be alsonoted that there is clearance between the inner surface 70 of secondplate 68 and the rear wall 38 of the cross frame 28. The provision ofthe clearances above described permit the full retraction of arm 50 intothe cross frame 28 as illustrated, for instance, in FIG. 4 of thedrawing whereby the vehicle-engaging assemblies 56 and 58 may be movedasfar together as possible and substantially within the confines of thecross frame 28, as illustrated in FIG. 1, when the arms 48 and 50 are intheir fully retracted positions, with respect to said cross frame 28.

The reach piece 74 carries, at its free end 80 a tubu- 6 lar socket 82,which socket receives a cylindrical supporting member 84 carried by thevehicle engaging saddle assembly '86 corresponding to arm 50. It is tobe noted that the cylindrical supporting member 84 is located off centerwith respect to the pad portion 88 of the saddle assembly 86 whereby,upon rotation of the member 84 within the socket 82, the saddleassemblies 86 may be swung, in a horizontal plane, to a maximum distanceapart, thereby presenting a substantial unobstructed space therebetween,and positioning the assemblies 86 at the most advantageous location toengage widely spaced lifting-points on the vehicle.

The socket member 82 is tubular in configuration as is the supportingmember 84 to permit the free rotation of the saddle assembly 86 withrespect to socket member 82 as illustrated in FIG. 4 wherein the lefthand saddle assembly is shown swung outwardly and to also permitvertical adjustment of the position of the pad 88 with respect to thecross frame 28, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3.

By utilizing the structure hereinabove described, there is presented avehicle lift which has the vehicle engaging assemblies 56 and 58 thereofinitially positionable as shown in FIG. l'whereby a very narrow width ispresented for the lift, inasmuch as the arms 48 and 50 may be fullyretracted with respect to cross frame 28 and the saddle assemblies 56and 58 swung to a position lying essentially fully within the confinesof cross frame member 28.

Furthermore, the pads 88 of the saddle assemblies 86 can be positionedat an initially lower position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, than would bepossible if the same were carried atop the cross frame 28 or atop armssuch as 48 and 50, thereby presenting a lower starting height for thesaddle assemblies 86 to permit placement thereof beneath vehicles whichpresent a minimal ground clearance.

When the lift 10 is to be placed into use, it can be readily utilized tolift a vehicle having a trailer hitch or the like thereon inasmuch asthe unobstructed space 90 will readily receive such hitch while yetpermitting the pads 88 of the saddle assemblies 86 to be passed beneaththe vehicle and any obstructions depending therefrom and subsequentlyshifted into engagement with desired points on the vehicle as the liftis actuated.

It is of course further apparent that the pads are positionable in alarge number of selected positions by virtue of the extensibility of thearms 48 and 50; the vertical adjustment of the supportingmember 84 intubular socket 82 and the available horizontal rotating movement of themember 84 in socket 82 whereby the pads may be swung outwardly withrespect to their corresponding arms to obtain a maximum spantherebetween. Thus, there is presented a lift having a minimum, fullyretracted width for easy transportation and initial positioning but yethaving a maximum outward reach if necessary when the lift is to beutilized.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. In a vehicle lift having a shiftable, vehicle elevating framework,said framework including a cross frame, means carried by the cross framefor engaging said vehicle, said means including:

extensible arms telescoped within each end of said cross frame, saidarms each having an inner end and an outer end;

reach pieces connected to the outer ends of each of said arms andpositioned therebelow, the free end of the reach pieces -extendinglaterally from their corresponding arms; and 7 vehicle engagingassemblies carried by said free e iids of each of said reach pieces in amanner whereby said assemblies fall substantially within the confines ofsaid cross frame when the arms are fully retracted with respect to saidcross frame.

2. A vehicle lift asset forth in claim 1, there being a bracketconnecting each of said reach pieces to the outer end of itscorresponding arm, said connecting brackets each including a first platesecured to the outer end of said arm and a second plate carried by saidfirst plate in spaced, substantially parallel relationship to the rearwall of said arm, the corresponding reach piece being secured to both ofsaid plates at a position below the outer end of the arm.

3. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 2, said first plate beingsecured to the outer end of the arm in perpendicular relationshipthereto, said second plate being perpendicular to said first plate.

4. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 3, each of said platespresenting an inner surface and an outer surface, said reach piece beingsecured to the inner surfaces of each plate.

5. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 1, there being a tubular socketcarried by the free end of each of said reach pieces and a vehicleengaging saddle assembly adjustably carried by each of said sockets.

6. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 5, said vehicle engaging saddleassemblies each having a cylindrical supporting member receivable withina corresponding socket whereby to permit said saddle assemblies torotate about the vertical axis of said cylindrical supporting member.

7. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 6, said cylindrical supportingmembers being located off center with respect to their correspondingsaddle assemblies whereby to provide a maximum distance between saidassemblies when they are rotated to an outward position.

8. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 7, said saddle assemblies beingpositioned generally forwardly of the cross frame when in use whereby topresent an unobstructed space therebetween.

9. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 6, said cylindrical supportingmembers being vertically adjustable within their corresponding socketswhereby to position said vehicle engaging saddle assemblies in selectedplanes relative to that of the normally upper part of the cross frame.

1. In a vehicle lift having a shiftable, vehicle elevating framework,said framework including a cross frame, means carried by the cross framefor engaging said vehicle, said means including: extensible armstelescoped within each end of said cross frame, said arms each having aninner end and an outer end; reach pieces connected to the outer ends ofeach of said arms and positioned therebelow, the free end of the reachpieces extending laterally from their corresponding arms; and vehicleengaging assemblies carried by said free ends of each of said reachpieces in a manner whereby said assemblies fall substantially within theconfines of said cross frame when the arms are fully retracted withrespect to said cross frame.
 2. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 1,there being a bracket connecting each of said reach pieces to the outerend of its corresponding arm, said connecting brackets each including afirst plate secured to the outer end of said arm and a second platecarried by said first plate in spaced, substantially parallelrelationship to the rear wall of said arm, the corresponding reach piecebeing secured to both of said plates at a position below the outer endof the arm.
 3. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 2, said first platebeing secured to the outer end of the arm in perpendicular relationshipthereto, said second plate being perpendicular to said first plate.
 4. Avehicle lift as set forth in claim 3, each of said plates prEsenting aninner surface and an outer surface, said reach piece being secured tothe inner surfaces of each plate.
 5. A vehicle lift as set forth inclaim 1, there being a tubular socket carried by the free end of each ofsaid reach pieces and a vehicle engaging saddle assembly adjustablycarried by each of said sockets.
 6. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim5, said vehicle engaging saddle assemblies each having a cylindricalsupporting member receivable within a corresponding socket whereby topermit said saddle assemblies to rotate about the vertical axis of saidcylindrical supporting member.
 7. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim6, said cylindrical supporting members being located off center withrespect to their corresponding saddle assemblies whereby to provide amaximum distance between said assemblies when they are rotated to anoutward position.
 8. A vehicle lift as set forth in claim 7, said saddleassemblies being positioned generally forwardly of the cross frame whenin use whereby to present an unobstructed space therebetween.
 9. Avehicle lift as set forth in claim 6, said cylindrical supportingmembers being vertically adjustable within their corresponding socketswhereby to position said vehicle engaging saddle assemblies in selectedplanes relative to that of the normally upper part of the cross frame.